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Blue Ridge Elementary School recently celebrated 40 Years of Sharing, Sharing Parade 2025. The school-wide program and sharing emphasis were evident by the participation of all grade levels PreK-5, faculty, staff, parents, retired teachers and the community.

While the holiday season is behind us and many of us are anticipating a happy, healthy 2026, one place where the true meaning of Christmas goes on all year is at the Blue Ridge Elementary School. I will be forever touched as a member of the audience, watching this special program presented by students in kindergarten to fifth grade. This Sharing Parade Program is a wonderful event and really brings home the true meaning of the Christmas season.

As I entered the school early, the excitement and bustle indicated that everyone was involved in some way. After going through the usual security, I was first approached by Mrs. Bleck, the fifth-grade learning support teacher, who was eager to show me around as to what had led to this school-wide event. Behind the curtain of the stage were rows and rows of gift bags, stacks of food items and laundry baskets filled to the brim with paper goods and other household supplies. Mrs. Bleck said that she had secured help from her fifth-grade students and a selected group of high school students to sort the donated items and prepare boxes to be distributed to the Blue Ridge families.

I learned also that the PTO was incredibly generous in providing hams, potatoes, and the thoughtfully filled laundry baskets. In addition, the high school Toys N Tots group donated toys. These are just a few examples of the acts of generosity by so many that truly show the power of community, caring and compassion by all.

From there I took my seat to watch what was such an impactful program with a unifying message of "Do Unto Others" which involved everyone in the school. There were tables lined up in front of the stage with volunteers ready to welcome the parade of students proudly bringing their food donations to the tables. The items were sorted by canned goods, cereal and other breakfast items, soups, juices, applesauce, boxed meals, pasta, sauces and desserts. Expiration dates were checked and immediately sorted in preparation for packing the items to support families in need.

Witnessing the students delivering their donations made me almost cry to see everyone involved and to witness what the true meaning of sharing is all about. I had no idea that this was the beginning of the most heartwarming, uplifting and caring program I had attended in a very long time.

MC Kathy Roe, Title 1 teacher and long-time coordinator of this unique school-wide endeavor, began with a heartfelt and sincere welcome to everyone. Superintendent Matt Button expressed a thank you to all the students, teachers, staff and parents who have supported this program for many years. He said that he was in third grade when the very first Sharing Parade began and thus on this day, they were celebrating forty years of sharing. This program is the longest tradition in the history of the school district.

As I watched, I realized that this is a concrete example of what is meant by true community involvement and helping all 469 students realize the benefit of working together every day, not just on a special holiday. The program is not a one-shot deal but a message that permeates the school daily. Heart-warming thoughts of the students are evident, and it truly exemplifies the thought that "it takes a village" with each of the grade levels performing and presenting their unique way of expressing the message of this year's theme "Do Unto Others".

Elementary music teacher Kristen Burkhart directed the fifth-grade chorus. A variety of written messages, poems, individual stories, a skit, a dance, and even a cheer certainly showed how the students truly understand the meaning of sharing and the power of community. Examples of the message by each of the grades included, "Gold is Valuable," "20 Ways to Do Unto Others," "Kindness Makes a Difference," "When We Give, We Receive," "Kindness is a Touchdown," "Caring Examples at School," "Always Be Kind," "Act Kindly," "Let Us Open the Door for You," "But Most of All," and "Share, My Hope for the Holiday Season." The "Kindness is a Touchdown" message illustrated how the sharing message is in everyday activities, not just within the walls of the school community.

Following the singing of the song, "It All Begins with Me" by the students, Mr. Tom Follert from the United Way of Susquehanna County was a special guest invited to give his adult sharing thought. His message to the student body was to pause, think and choose kindness. He challenged the kids to look at themselves and to find the things that make them happier when they are sad or angry and to use those feelings about what they learn about themselves to help others. After the program, when Mr. Follert was asked about his message, he said that he had no idea about the Sharing Parade until he witnessed it that morning. He said that it was remarkable!

As the students sang the final song, "Light the Candles", the completely dark auditorium was lit only by the candles held by the fifth-grade students on the stage. The lovely message of unity and sharing was felt. I was so touched by the opportunity to witness the entire program. It was so rewarding to see how a school-wide message with the support of everyone is creating children who truly live and understand "sharing." It surely gives us hope for the future with children growing up with the importance of "sharing" and how we all need each other.

What began 40 years ago to help the students understand what the true spirit of the holidays is has grown and permeates the entire school community.

When Susquehanna County's annual Ag Day returns on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Montrose Area High School, attendees can enjoy a variety of educational opportunities. The event is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is requested by March 4.

Hosted by Penn State Extension, Ag Day features nine scheduled classroom sessions, taught by Master Gardener volunteers, local Penn State Extension Educators, and guest presenters, including: Getting Started with Hydroponics; Soil Testing for the Home Garden and Landscape; Common Gardening Questions and Answers; Riparian Buffers; Farm Transition Planning; Reducing Pesticide Exposure Risk; Tools for Tackling Workforce Issues; An Incident Happened on the Farm: What Should You Do?

Additional learning opportunities include recipe demonstrations featuring spring produce, nutrition information from the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), a farm safety team lesson on power take-off and tractor stability, and a seed planting activity with the Master Gardeners. A vendor expo with representatives from over 75 agri-businesses and local community resources is open throughout the day.

Although the event is free, advanced registration is requested. The registration deadline is March 4. Lunch is included for those who register in advance. Registration is available online at https://extension.psu.edu/susquehanna-county-farm-and-home-day or by calling 1-877-345-0691.

Local agricultural tradeshow vendors are invited to participate as an event sponsor or exhibitor by reviewing the event information and registering at the above-listed website or by calling 1-877-345-0691.

Penn State Extension Susquehanna County is located at 88 Chenango Street, Montrose, PA 18801.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.

During the Susquehanna's Commissioners second meeting of the month held on January 28, 2026 Commissioners approved Proclamation 26-02 proclaiming February as Black History Month in Susquehanna County. They recognized the theme of "Black Health and Wellness" and celebrate it including the legacy of Black scholars, midwives, nurses, doctors and practitioners of not only Western medicine, but all other indigenous ways of promoting health and healing throughout the Black community. Recognizing each Black individual has a unique mind, body and soul which deserves to be healthy, well and treated with respect and empathy. The Susquehanna County Board of Commissioners calls upon the people of Susquehanna County to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities and reflections and to continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, equitable and prosperous for all.

Approved by the commissioners were numerous contracts to provide services to multiple administrative and appointed departments under their jurisdiction. These contracts will provide support, maintenance and technology licenses.

Purchase approved by the Commissioners for one FlexMet Vote Center Poll Pad Charging and Storage Hub for the Elections Department in the amount of $17,175 paid for with Election Integrity Grant Funds.

Fees were approved to be changed for the Assessment Department printing of property record cards to $1.00 for the first card and $.50 per page thereafter effective February 1, 2026.

The resignation of Jaycen Aten from Children and Youth Services the position of Caseworker II was accepted with regret by the Commissioners.

The open position of Chief County Detective left vacant by Chief John Oliver when he assumed his role of Sheriff was filled by Detective Justin Sprout from the Susquehanna County Task Force effective date January 8, 2026. With his new role of Chief County Detective Justin Sprout assumes a full-time, non-union position and obtains benefits according to the County Policy Manual.

Todd Hinkley of New Milford was hired by the Commissioners to fill the open, part-time, non-union position of Assistant District Attorney with a salary of $75,000 per year. The salary was based on duties and experience and will be effective January 26, 2026 per the recommendation of District Attorney Marion O'Malley.

The 2017 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor with 91,435 miles was approved for bid on the Municibid auction site. Municibid is an online government auction site used by governments and schools.

Commissioner Hall at the end of the meeting informed the public the Emergency Declaration put into effect will not render any funds to the County. He stated it needed to be an historical snowfall, more than 24 inches at a cost of 24M to the state and/or $177,000 to the county and Susquehanna did not see a record number of snowfall.

For an explanation of the Emergency Declaration for those who do not know, a governing body would Declare a State of Emergency activating local emergency plans and would enable the rapid expenditure of funds without standard bidding processes. It also allows to place curfews and road closures effective during a certain time frame. The governing body is permitted to coordinate with state-level emergency agencies like Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and unlock state/federal financial aid.

On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The nationwide celebration of America's semi-quincentennial will be at the forefront of the annual Montrose, PA July 4th Celebration. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation's past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future.

The Kiwanis Club of the Montrose Area is honored to play an integral role in this special celebration. To mark the occasion, the Kiwanis Club is offering America250 Commemorative Banners for purchase by businesses, organizations, clubs and individuals. This is a meaningful way to show pride in both our community and our nation.

The America250 banners will feature exclusive designs and will be produced by the same trusted company that creates our highly regarded Hometown Heroes Banners, ensuring consistent quality and visual impact. Each banner is available for $200 and may display a family name, business name, or sponsor name.

Banners will be prominently displayed along the Montrose July 4th Patriotic Parade route from April through October, providing months of high-visibility exposure during peak community events and seasonal traffic. Following the celebration, banners will be returned to sponsors as a meaningful keepsake commemorating this historic milestone.

A portion of the proceeds from this community project will benefit the Montrose Montrose Marching Unit Alumni Band. This special group of Montrose Alumni has received a distinctive honor to participate in the Salute to Independence Parade to be held in Philadelphia on Friday, July 3, 2026. $50 from each Sponsor Application to purchase a banner will be donated to the MMU Alumni Band to help defray the expenses of traveling to Philadelphia for this historic parade.

This trip will be more than just another parade. It will be a special opportunity to represent Pennsylvania, Montrose and the Alumni Band on a national stage, then to return to Montrose in time to march in the annual Montrose Patriotic Parade to be held on Saturday, July 4th.

The deadline for submitting applications is February 28, 2026. More information and applications can be found by visiting our website: www.montrosepajuly4th.com and clicking on the "Banners" link. Please contact Debbie Crisman, email: dhc@epix.net, phone: 570-278-1026 or 570-533-1331; or Ed DeWitt, email: fasteddie1941@twc.com, phone: 570-767-4577, if you need more information or have any questions.